Argentine F1 Rookie Sparks Unprecedented Fan Support

Franco Colapinto experiences a surge of fan support, creating a unique wave of popularity in Formula 1 unseen with other drivers.

Franco Colapinto is struck by the support from Argentine and Latin American fans. The Williams F1 rookie feels he has unique backing in Formula 1 and is thrilled to see the enthusiasm.

The Argentine driver enjoys such popularity in his early races that his sponsor, Mercado Libre, will appear on both his and Alex Albon’s Williams cars this weekend and in Brazil, marking the first time in over 30 years the team will feature a yellow engine cover.

“I feel the fans’ passion, which is why I was so excited about these races—and now Formula 1 sees how much it missed Latino and Argentine fans,” said Colapinto. “They’re intense, and in just a few races, they’ve become wildly supportive. Honestly, I haven’t seen this level of support for any other driver so far.”

“This is something very special and unique for me. It’s amazing to see so many Latinos. In other sports, you might see rivalries between Brazilians, Mexicans, and Argentines, but in Formula 1, in motorsport, it feels like everyone is united, everyone is backing me.”

“There’s no rivalry between Brazilians, Mexicans, and Argentines; they’re all united with a common goal, all supporting me, and it’s great to see. It’s a step forward as a society, and I’m really happy to see how this will unfold—I’m just enjoying the moment.”

Colapinto hopes to drive full-time for Williams in the future, to give back to the team that offered him his biggest opportunity: “We have so much support. I admire their ability to bring people into the team and create that family feeling.”

“They’re the team that brought me into Formula 1, and I’m very grateful for that. In the future, my priority will be to stay with Williams. I know the opportunity they’ve given me, and I’m thankful, so it would be great to race for them down the line.”

For Mexico, he’s prepared for a unique experience on the simulator: “All the teams use the largest wing we have, but there’s no grip—there’s as little downforce as at Monza. It feels very strange, but it’s all experience, it’s a process, and I’ll keep improving throughout the weekend up to the race.”